New Brunswick has launched its new tourism growth strategy with a goal of increasing visitor spending from the current estimated $1.3-billion mark to $2-billion by 2025.
Premier Brian Gallant made the announcement at the newly opened Skywalk Saint John and says the government is investing about $100-million over the next 8 years into the strategy.
“We’re going to be making investments such as investments in the Fundy Trail Connector Parkway, this is an investment that will make the Fundy Trail our Cabot Trail, and frankly I think it’ll even be that much better,” says Gallant.
“We’re going to be making investments to help all of our tourism operators get the support that they need to have the infrastructure they need to be able to improve the experience and increase our tourism numbers.”
Victoria Clarke of Discover Saint John says the new tourism growth strategy means they are responsible for probably growing their revenue another $200-million.
“In 2016 we hit an all-time high…of $252-million so you can see what a lofty goal that will be for Saint John to increase another $200-million,” said Clarke. “But don’t worry, Don [Darling] and I will make sure that Mr. Premier and our minister will help us make sure that we reach our goals through investment in Saint John.”
Massive investment in the tourism industry, which will help grow @cityofsaintjohn with the excellent work of @VisitSaintJohn. Tourism is a key driver of the economy. Thank you @JohnBAmes and @BrianGallantNB for this investment. #growsj pic.twitter.com/TNwL1fr5TH
— Don Darling (@dondarlingSJ) November 22, 2017
It’s said that increasing this spending to that level would mean an extra $133-million in provincial tax revenue and lead to the creation of up to 4800 new jobs in the tourism sector.
The province says for every public dollar that’s invested into promoting New Brunswick as a place for tourists to come and visit there’s an estimated return on investment of $3.19.
